Extension-step for cars



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) I 1) L'. WHITE.

EXTENSION STEREO? CARS. No. 574,969. Patented Jan. 12;, 1897 with moses (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. L. WHITE. EXTENSION STEP FOR (mas.

m. 574,969. PatentedJan; 12, 1897.

I i /vibvmooeo bl lgvvuemho'a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL L. \VIIITE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

EXTENSION-STEP FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,969, dated January 12, 1897.

Application filed April 13, 1896.

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL L. WHITE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Steps for Cars, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide means for increasing the number of steps in a flight when required, to provide an extensible flight which will be safe in either of its positions, and to provide an automaticallyfolding flight.

My invention consists in thecombination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the steps in folded position; Fig. 2, a like view of the steps in extended position; Fig. 3, a front elevation; Fig. 4, a central vertical section; Fig. 5, an elevation, partly in section, of the locking-hinge; Fig. 6, an end view of the same; Fig. 7, a similar view to Fig. 4 with the steps extended, and Fig. 8 a detail of the unlocking device.

My improved extension device is preferably mounted so as to produce the extension at the lower end of a flight. Upon a shaft A, extending transversely between the step-hangers a, I mount one or more triangular frames 13, preferably of right triangular form and pivoted to the shaft at the centers of their hypotenuses. Sidesb of frames B carrya step Z), and sides 11 carry a rise-board 19 The frames may be swung on shaft A into a position where step b will be in a horizontal plane either above or below the shaft. A projection b adapted to contact with the stationary rise-board a, prevents the frames from swinging forward and carrying step 1) beyond its position of use. Hinged to the ends 19 of each of the frames Bis a plate O, carrying a step c, normally occupying a position next below the stationary step of a flight. Plate 0 is bent at right angles at its free end and carries a triangular frame D, hinged to the bent end and preferably of the same construction as frame B. Mounted on one side cl of frame D is a rise-board d and a projection d carrying a step E, which normally rests on rods at, extending from one stephanger to the other. Mounted on plate 0 is Serial No. 587,392. (No model.)

a sliding pin G, adapted to take into an aper ture b in hinge ends 6 of the frame B and lock the frame and plate together. Pins G are thrown into locking engagement with the hinge-joints by means of frames D, striking a catch g, carried by the pins, which force the pins forward and into the apertures. The pins are withdrawn from apertures b by means of springs 9.

Suppose the steps to be in folded position. To unfold and extend the steps, frames D are lifted and moved outwardly and downwardly, and by their hinge connections with plate 0 the latter are lifted and moved outwardly and downwardly. The lifting of frames D releases them from pins G and allow movement of the plates 0 relatively to frames B. The

plates 0, by their hinge connections with.

frames 13, impart thereto a half-rotation and bring steps 1) into the position previously occupied by step 0. Step 0 has advanced one step downwardly and occupies the position previously occupied by step E and step E has advanced one step downward. In swinging outward and downward frames D pass rods G, and when step E is brought into its extended position they swing under the rods and engage with catches g, thereby locking the hinge-joints 12 The locking-pins G prevent any liability of the parts becoming disarranged. Any pressure upon the steps is equally distributed.

I find that by properly pivoting and hingin g the parts as soon as hinge-joints b are released the parts will automatically fold.

To prevent any liability of the steps remaining extended after a train has started, I provide a device adapted to unlock the hinge, which is actuated by the jar incident to starting. I have shown one form consisting of a plate 11, provided with arms h, pivoted between plate 0 and frame D. One arm is weighted, and as soon as the weight receives any jar it swings the arms into engagement with the plate and frame and forces them apart, thereby releasing the pins G and allowing the steps to fold.

I claim as my invention- 1. In an extensible flight of steps, the combination of a step-frame, pivoted within the angle of the step and adapted to rotate into a position above or below its pivot; and a step-frame hinged thereto adapted to swing into the position of use of the first frame when the latter swings into a position of non-use, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an extensible flight of steps, the combination of a step-frame, pivoted within the angle of the step and adapted to rotate into a position above or below its pivot; a stepframe hinged thereto and adapted to swing into the position of use of the first frame when the latter swings into its position of non-use, and means for locking the frames in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In an extensible flight of steps, the combination of a step-frame, pivoted within the angle of the step and adapted to rotate into a position above or below its pivot; a stepframe hinged thereto and adapted to swing into the position of use of the first frame when the latter swings into its position of non-use, and means for locking the frames in position when the first frame is in its position of use, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In an extensible flight of steps the combination of one or more triangular frames, pivoted relatively to the step-hangers, and carrying a step, a projection or projections on one end of the frame or frames adapted to limit the forward movement of the frame, and one or more plates hinged to the frames and carrying a triangular frame or frames supporting a step, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an extensible flight of steps, the combination of one or more triangular frames, pivoted to the step-hangers, and carrying a step, a projection or projections on one end of the frame or frames, adapted to limit the forward movement of the frame, one or more plates hinged to the frame and carrying triangular frames supporting a step, a sliding pin or bolt carried by the plates and adapted to lock the first frame and plate together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an extensible flight of steps, the combination of one or more triangular frames, pivoted to the step-hangers, and carrying a step, a projection on one end adapted to limit the forward movement of the frame, one or more plates hinged to the frames and carrying triangular frames supporting a step, a sliding pin or bolt carried by each plate adapted to lock the first frames and plates together and actuated by the second frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination in an extensible flight of a step-frame, 3, pivoted to step-hangers, a plate, C, hinged to frame, B, a frame, D, hinged to plate, 0, and carrying a step, E, a sliding pin or bolt, G, adapted to lock frame, 13, and plate, 0, together, and actuated by frame, D, and a spring, g, for actuating the pins in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination in an extensible flight of a step, a frame B pivoted to the step-hangers, a plate 0 hinged to the frame a second step-frame hinged to the plate, a locking mechanism carried by plate, 0, and adapted to engage frame, B, the locking device actuated by the second frame, and a plate having arms adapted to throw the second frame and plate apart thereby disengaging the locking device from the first frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

DANIEL L. XVIIITE. \Vitnesses:

ELIAS JAMES POLK, ARTHUR E. GEORGE. 

